Sun, Nov 22 2009
After the hot weather, fires, and floods that hit Bulgaria, the country was attacked by flocks of crickets.
The insects destroyed everything in their way. The most seriously affected region is Bourgas where their density reached 15 to 20 of these insects per sq m, Monitor daily reported.
Large numbers of crickets have been reported in villages near the towns of Radomir, Stara Zagora, Sliven, Montana, Kurdjali, Haskovo and Plovdiv. The crickets attack sunflower fields, fruit gardens, and stubble-fields.
People from the affected settlements complained that the insects invaded their houses, crept under their blankets, and jumped on their faces.
Environmentalists said that the attacks resulted from hot and dry weather, and irregular anti-insects treatment of land in the affected areas.
If municipalities do not take urgent measures against the insects, crops would be seriously damaged, National Civil Protection Service representatives said.
Experts said they expected the rain that fell in recent days to help deal with the problem.
The European Commission is taking Bulgaria to court for delays in providing Sofia with adequate waste disposal facilities.
James Warlick is the spouse of Mary Warlick, director of the office of Russian affairs at the US state department, who has been nominated to serve as ambassador to Serbia
Bulgaria’s Health Ministry announced on November 20 2009 that the flu epidemic declared two weeks earlier is at an end as rates of infection decline. The announcement coincides with reports of two deaths from A (H1N1) flu in Bulgaria.
Acting on allegations by Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov, prosecutors and Government officials are to probe deals by which Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Ahmed Dogan acquired various properties.
Prosecutors allege that a deal agreed by the former defence minister caused losses of 12.9 million leva.